Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Aug. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Peck called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon a call of the roll, the following members were physically present: Mayor Jim Peck, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Jim Ashby, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Chelsie Kidd

Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart

Staff Absent: Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Others Present: Bill Krueger, Declan Stewart

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 5, 2025

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, 2025

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the noted changes to the August 5, 2025 minutes as noted per Trustee London’s request and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young

Nays: 0 – None

Abstain: 1 – Kidd

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, the public has the opportunity to express views or make comments to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on agenda items or any other Village issue. Comments must be limited to not more than three (3) minutes.

None.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Roberts had no incidents to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Per Mayor Pecks inquiry, Village Engineer Buening confirmed the following updates: the bike path maintenance project is going out for bid now; the road maintenance is delayed until early September; seeding for the Sports and Nature Park is on the calendar weather pending; Moon Street improvements will begin in spring of 2026.

Trustee Wendt suggested the Board and staff return to following the pattern of setting the budget in 4th quarter and use the winter months for putting out bids so projects are ready to go in the spring. All Trustees agreed. Trustee Wendt also asked Public Works Director Fowler to find out who set out the street traffic counters since they do not belong to the Village.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-18 AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE NORTH SOUTH STREET ON THE PROPERTY SOUTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTON OF EAST SHAFER STREET AND SAWYER ROAD AS CHAMPIONS WAY (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained this topic was discussed at the last Board meeting and all agreed to the new name. This ordinance is needed to make it official. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CHASTAIN AGREEMENT FOR WELL 7 (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the Well 7 design and construction services contract. The reason for the $75,000 increase is due to various additional work performed and the increases in scope to these particular services. He went on to detail the scope of services. Trustee Wendt asked if there was a way to go back on the contractor who was a no-show and recoup money lost due to no work being done. Village Attorney Petrilli said yes that is possible to do.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the amended agreement with Chastain and Associates and not to exceed the total agreement of $289,600.00 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL NEW HOTEL (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee shared an update on the current negotiations with Mr. Patel for a new hotel in the Village. The location of the new hotel would be on the lot just north of Staples. She is only looking for a consensus tonight and permission to continue with Proposal #4 for the project. Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained how tax money is collected and the corresponding tracking within the Village and TIF Illinois. Trustee Wendt requested regular TIF reports on all our projects with the related details and dollars. All Trustees and staff agreed on that request. After a discussion, the Trustees gave permission to Administrator Applebee to move forward with Proposal #4 with Mr. Patel.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SPILLWAY REPAIR (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained that the spillway at Veterans Park pond has deteriorated, causing significant erosion along the surrounding banks and beneath the structure, leading to lower water levels. He explained the details of the two bids received and recommended choosing Cothren’s Custom Hardscapes bid of $68,300 to make the needed spillway repairs. This bid is $13,300 over budget. After a discussion, the Trustees agreed with his recommendation.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the $68,300 bid from Cothren’s Custom Hardscapes as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. BOARD TRAINING (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of the IML handbook for elected officials. She explained the Democratic Rules of Order and how motions are managed. She also spoke about the definition of a quorum, the Open Meetings Act rules, how the Mayor can break a tie or vote with the majority, conflicts of interest for Board members, how the point of order is used when the topic is not in the agenda, and closed session topics (personnel, litigation, etc.).

No Motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WATER TOWER BIDS (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOWLER)

Village Engineer Buening explained that bids were opened yesterday for the improvement of the water system. While eight (8) contractors bid on the project, only one of them was able to address the project work this fall. After a lengthy Board discussion, it was agreed to reject this one bid from Tecorp and start the bid process again with the requirement for the work to start as soon as possible in 2026.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to reject the current bid from Tecorp and restart the bid process for work to begin as soon as possible in 2026 and Trustee Kidd seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/6001164/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf